The European Commission’s “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package of legislation puts “Efficiency First.” Generally praised by energy efficiency advocates, this principle evokes fear in the renewable energy sector. Does Efficiency First mean that renewable energy takes the back seat? Will Efficiency First slow down the remarkable expansion of renewable energy in recent years?
The answer to these questions is a clear “no.” In order to completely decarbonise energy production, we need more investment in renewables, not less. Just as the energy system cannot be decarbonised through energy efficiency alone, a system with 100 percent renewables cannot be achieved without extensive energy efficiency. This is one reason why the International Energy Agency (IEA) has described energy efficiency as a “first fuel.”
Read More (The Energy Collective)
I’ve written about this a lot. But it’s worth writing about again.
As a general rule of thumb, I intentionally put myself through whatever we ask regular Americans to go through in order to live more sustainably. It turns out I also have a passion for old homes – the craftsmanship and grandeur make me swoon.
And the fact that they’re all leaking energy like a sieve gives me a good excuse to get a “real world” experience with efficiency and sustainability.
Read More (Sheldon GRP)
Energy efficiency (EE), broadly defined, means using less energy to provide the same, or often superior, energy services. EE is most commonly thought of as technologies that reduce energy use relative to traditional technologies, such as LED lighting and high efficiency appliances and heating and cooling equipment.
But today, EE also includes the use of sophisticated energy management systems, internet-connected thermostats, and data analytics. Many benefits come from EE technologies and practices, including cost savings for customers, consumer empowerment and engagement, improved facility operations and building energy system reliability, enhanced grid performance, reductions in electricity bills, and job creation.
EE is widely recognized as the lowest cost resource for meeting electricity needs. Strong EE polices and investments help keep electricity bills low for all by reducing the need for new and expensive generating assets, as well as new transmission and distribution infrastructure. In 2016, The U.S. building efficiency sector accounted for nearly $70 billion in revenue and there were about 2.2 million U.S. jobsassociated with energy efficiency.
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It’s not just about money. People invest in home energy upgrades for a variety of reasons. Our new report explores their motivations and unveils, based partly on a representative survey of nearly 2,000 homeowners, the best strategies for encouraging them to invest in energy efficiency.
This webinar will discuss the latest research on the best ways to frame home energy upgrade recommendations, including results from our recent homeowner survey. Read more about this topic in the most recent report by Dr. Reuven Sussman and Maxine Chikumbo in the Behavior and Human Dimensions program at ACEEE.
Webinar takes place November 7, 2017
Yesterday we reported on how Duke Energy leads the Southeast in energy efficiency, and Florida Power & Light is providing the worst results in the region. But what about the rest? There are a lot of great stories to tell, but first here’s a reminder of the overview.
As discussed in yesterday’s blog, across the region SACE works in, utility management commitment, state regulatory or legislative policy, and stakeholder engagement are the critical factors that determine success. Today’s blog will review the rest of the Florida utilities, Southern Company, and the South Carolina utilities.
Read more (Cleanenergy)
It’s not just about money. People invest in home energy upgrades for a variety of reasons, including reconstruction after heavy storms. Our new report explores their motivations and unveils, based partly on a representative survey of nearly 2,000 homeowners, the best strategies for encouraging them to invest in energy efficiency.
People who invest in home energy upgrades want to save money on their utility bills, but they also want to improve their health, make their homes more comfortable, protect the environment, or mitigate climate change. In some cases, they are more likely to invest in upgrades when home energy assessors explain the nonfinancial benefits.
Our report, How to Talk About Home Energy Upgrades, shows that the framing of these messages matters. For example, the terms comfort or health may not motivate homeowners, but homeowners are motivated to get rid of cold drafts, remove mold, reduce allergy symptoms, and insulate against noise, among other issues.
Read more (ACEEE)
Energy efficiency doesn’t often make front-page news, but behind the scenes, this resource is steadily transforming energy markets — although the changes can be difficult to track.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) documented the progress states have made on efficiency measures in its latest State Scorecard.
“In the absence of a national uniform energy standard…state policies are often the key drivers in spurring investment in efficiency,” said Weston Berg, ACEEE research analyst and Scorecard lead author.
In this year’s ranking, Massachusetts edged ahead of California to reclaim its first-place position — posting the state’s highest-ever efficiency savings of 3 percent of sales. The state’s Green Communities Act of 2008 continues to be a strong driver, as well as the $15 million Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy Initiative and other affordable housing grant programs.
Read more (Green Tech Media)
Customer engagement. It’s the phrase du jour in the utility industry. But few agree on exactly what it means.
That’s because it could mean many different things. And perhaps that’s not such a bad thing — as long as it results in a more efficient, dynamic, customer-centric system. That’s the hope, anyway. Or the hype.
In this year’s GTM Squared survey on mastering the utility sales cycle, we saw a noticeable increase in the emphasis on customer engagement among utilities. In two areas — where utilities plan to invest and where utilities…
Read more (Green Tech Media)
Green construction is rapidly gaining traction among both single family and multifamily home builders, according to new research published in the Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief.
The latest in a series of studies conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the study shows that green homes are continuing to gain market share.
At least one third of single family and multifamily builders who were surveyed said that green building is a significant portion of their overall activity (more than 60 percent of their portfolio). By 2022, this number should increase to nearly one half in both the single family and multifamily sectors. Within this group, nearly 30 percent of multifamily builders fall into the category of “dedicated” green builders (more than 90 percent of their portfolio). On the single family side, the percentage of “dedicated” green builders is nearly 20 percent, but that share is expected to grow sizably by 2022.
Read more (PR Newswire)
Virginia tied for 29th in the 2017 State Scorecard, rising four places from the position it held in 2016 and becoming one of this year’s most improved states. The state scored 15.5 points out of a possible 50, 2.5 points more than last year. Virginia has shown a commitment to saving energy through an array of state-led initiatives. However the state has significant room
to strengthen efficiency programs and policies in the utility sector. To guarantee energy and cost savings for businesses and residents, the state could make its 10% electricity savings target mandatory and offer performance incentives to utilities achieving higher levels of electricity and natural gas savings. Virginia could also work to streamline the process by which utilities evaluate, measure, and verify energy savings which may help utilities to develop efficiency programs with more comprehensive measures. To keep costs low for all Virginia consumers, utilities could design programs that better meet the needs of large customers. Beyond the utility sector, the
state could incentivize CHP deployment to deepen energy savings, reduce bills for homes and businesses, and support local economic development.
Read more (ACEEE)
